Whitehall pledges its support for classics
Discussion
Whitehall pledges its support for classics
07 Dec 2011
From Classic & Sports Car
The Government has guaranteed no restrictions will be introduced on the usage of classic cars in the UK.
The pledge came from Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead and Parliamentary Under Secretary for State for Transport, during the launch of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs latest report into the size and make-up of the classic car hobby at the Houses of Parliament last night.
Penning, who took part in this year's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run aboard the 1902 Mercedes Simplex driven by Nigel Mansell, said: "We have no plans whatsoever to restrict the use of classic and vintage vehicles, not as long as I am in my position."
He added that, on the contrary, the classic car hobby should be protected and encouraged to grow even further: "For me, they are part of our heritage, and so long as I am in charge I will protect that heritage. I want to protect and encourage the use of these cars on our roads. We want to see more and more of them [classic cars], We should be proud of them and should be proud of our heritage."
Penning said that because of Brussels it was a constant battle to protect and preserve the hobby: "If we were in charge of our own destiny, it would not be an issue, but Europe has a slightly different view, and we must take steps with them first before addressing the issues that arise from that."
Greg Knight MP, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group, also vowed to continue to fight the "pen-pushers" and "petty bureaucrats" who might try to impose legislation on classic cars and classic car usage.
Knight added that Prime Minister David Cameron is a former member of the APPHVG and that his Parliamentary Private Secretary Desmond Swayne still is.
He assured guests, which included Lord Steel of Aikwood and Lord Montagu among other industry luminaries, that the classic car hobby therefore "has the ear of Government at the highest level" and that enthusiasts in parliament are "kicking out above our weight".
Although, as yet there is no advance on the reintroduction of a rolling system for road tax-emption for classic cars, both the MPs and the Federation said they would continue to lobby for it.
They also urged enthusiasts to have their say in a huge survey following the Government consultation document on the possible scrapping of the MoT test for pre-1960 classics.
07 Dec 2011
From Classic & Sports Car
The Government has guaranteed no restrictions will be introduced on the usage of classic cars in the UK.
The pledge came from Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead and Parliamentary Under Secretary for State for Transport, during the launch of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs latest report into the size and make-up of the classic car hobby at the Houses of Parliament last night.
Penning, who took part in this year's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run aboard the 1902 Mercedes Simplex driven by Nigel Mansell, said: "We have no plans whatsoever to restrict the use of classic and vintage vehicles, not as long as I am in my position."
He added that, on the contrary, the classic car hobby should be protected and encouraged to grow even further: "For me, they are part of our heritage, and so long as I am in charge I will protect that heritage. I want to protect and encourage the use of these cars on our roads. We want to see more and more of them [classic cars], We should be proud of them and should be proud of our heritage."
Penning said that because of Brussels it was a constant battle to protect and preserve the hobby: "If we were in charge of our own destiny, it would not be an issue, but Europe has a slightly different view, and we must take steps with them first before addressing the issues that arise from that."
Greg Knight MP, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group, also vowed to continue to fight the "pen-pushers" and "petty bureaucrats" who might try to impose legislation on classic cars and classic car usage.
Knight added that Prime Minister David Cameron is a former member of the APPHVG and that his Parliamentary Private Secretary Desmond Swayne still is.
He assured guests, which included Lord Steel of Aikwood and Lord Montagu among other industry luminaries, that the classic car hobby therefore "has the ear of Government at the highest level" and that enthusiasts in parliament are "kicking out above our weight".
Although, as yet there is no advance on the reintroduction of a rolling system for road tax-emption for classic cars, both the MPs and the Federation said they would continue to lobby for it.
They also urged enthusiasts to have their say in a huge survey following the Government consultation document on the possible scrapping of the MoT test for pre-1960 classics.
LordBretSinclair said:
Call me old and cynical but if "The Government has guaranteed no restrictions will be introduced on the usage of classic cars in the UK" you can bet there are loads of restrictions in the pipeline 
+100And..."to protect and preserve the hobby...", Hobby? Hobby? It's a global industry employing many 1000's with some unique skill sets. How much does this "hobby" contribute to UK and Brussels coffers? Last time I looked, Goodwood alone turnsover £25.9M. Thankfully the industry is made up of 1000's of small businesses providing much needed employment to local areas. Government and Politico's would do well to remember this when defending this "hobby".
And let's be clear, "...but Europe has a slightly different view...", Europe does not have a different view; it's the MEP's that have a different view and it's this 'Brussels Borg' who galvanise Brussels-Euro policy, which in turn directly effects UK policy. We, the UK, are too lax in our interest in Brussels & precisely what the elected MEP's get up to, and, what policies they vote in under the radar.
Classic car industry is on the up says FBHVC
From Classic & Sportscar
07 Dec 2011
The classic car hobby continued to grow in the UK even when the economy was plunged into the teeth of a recession. Its worth to the economy – both internally and through exports – and the number of people it directly employs have never been greater.
Those were the main findings as the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs revealed its latest research into the size and scale of the movement at the Houses of Parliament last night.
The title of the research document (below) – A £4 billion Hobby – sums up the rude health of the movement which, though growth slowed noticeably over the past five years, has on the whole escaped the ravages of the global recession.
Even then, the Federation warns that all is figures are conservative and the £4.3 billion generated a year may only be the tip of the iceberg.
Key findings of the report were:
•The historic vehicle movement generates £4.3 billion a year – up a billion on the 2006 figure – nearly £1 billion of it in exports.
•A total of 28,000 people earn a living directly from the classic car industry, up 1000 on five years ago.
•41% of businesses expect to recruit more staff soon.
The survey also revealed a younger, more down to earth hobby than has been previously assumed. Plus, though more than 850,000 vehicles made before 1981 still survive, their environmental impact is minimal, with 82% of them used no more than twice a month and the entire hobby contributing only 0.24% of the UK's annual mileage.
The myth of classic cars as an exclusively wealthy hobby was also debunked, with 31% of historic vehicle owners having a total household income of under £25,000 and, despite the news headlines driven by megabucks classics, a mammoth 68% of classics being valued at under £10,000.
The Federation's research, masterminded by FBHVC vice president, Geoff Smith, was conducted in the summer, focusing on four groups: traders, its 500-plus member clubs, museums and individuals. There were more than 11,000 responses in total.
Some more interesting stats:
•More than £3.3 billion of the hobby's turnover is through 3800 specialist traders.
•Museums and clubs generate turnover of £90 million.British enthusiasts spend £3 billion a year on the hobby, or £2900 each.
•More than £505 million worth of classic car sales take place in Britain every year. Only 3% of these were over £50,000.
•35% of historic vehicles have changed hands in the past five years.
•The total value of historic vehicles in the UK is approximately £7.4 billion, an average of £8250 per vehicle.
•57% of people earning a living from the classic car industry are under 45.
•55% of all historic vehicle owners are aged under 60.
•Half of all historic vehicles cover fewer than 500 miles a year.
From Classic & Sportscar
07 Dec 2011
The classic car hobby continued to grow in the UK even when the economy was plunged into the teeth of a recession. Its worth to the economy – both internally and through exports – and the number of people it directly employs have never been greater.
Those were the main findings as the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs revealed its latest research into the size and scale of the movement at the Houses of Parliament last night.
The title of the research document (below) – A £4 billion Hobby – sums up the rude health of the movement which, though growth slowed noticeably over the past five years, has on the whole escaped the ravages of the global recession.
Even then, the Federation warns that all is figures are conservative and the £4.3 billion generated a year may only be the tip of the iceberg.
Key findings of the report were:
•The historic vehicle movement generates £4.3 billion a year – up a billion on the 2006 figure – nearly £1 billion of it in exports.
•A total of 28,000 people earn a living directly from the classic car industry, up 1000 on five years ago.
•41% of businesses expect to recruit more staff soon.
The survey also revealed a younger, more down to earth hobby than has been previously assumed. Plus, though more than 850,000 vehicles made before 1981 still survive, their environmental impact is minimal, with 82% of them used no more than twice a month and the entire hobby contributing only 0.24% of the UK's annual mileage.
The myth of classic cars as an exclusively wealthy hobby was also debunked, with 31% of historic vehicle owners having a total household income of under £25,000 and, despite the news headlines driven by megabucks classics, a mammoth 68% of classics being valued at under £10,000.
The Federation's research, masterminded by FBHVC vice president, Geoff Smith, was conducted in the summer, focusing on four groups: traders, its 500-plus member clubs, museums and individuals. There were more than 11,000 responses in total.
Some more interesting stats:
•More than £3.3 billion of the hobby's turnover is through 3800 specialist traders.
•Museums and clubs generate turnover of £90 million.British enthusiasts spend £3 billion a year on the hobby, or £2900 each.
•More than £505 million worth of classic car sales take place in Britain every year. Only 3% of these were over £50,000.
•35% of historic vehicles have changed hands in the past five years.
•The total value of historic vehicles in the UK is approximately £7.4 billion, an average of £8250 per vehicle.
•57% of people earning a living from the classic car industry are under 45.
•55% of all historic vehicle owners are aged under 60.
•Half of all historic vehicles cover fewer than 500 miles a year.
I'd like to see their definition of a classic.
I have a Scirocco that's virtually 27 years old. Is it a classic? To me, yes. I can easily get insurance through a classic broker. However, to the Government, is it just an old banger? I've had it 12 years and use it daily. I do not want anyone laying down rules and restrictions regarding its use thank you very much!
I have a Scirocco that's virtually 27 years old. Is it a classic? To me, yes. I can easily get insurance through a classic broker. However, to the Government, is it just an old banger? I've had it 12 years and use it daily. I do not want anyone laying down rules and restrictions regarding its use thank you very much!
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff